For the most part Parra looked slick and the Knights looked clunky. Our bench forwards were a lot stronger in attack than our starting pack, with the exception of Brown.
BA will have some tough decisions on team selection as some NRL regulars were out played by fringe players, such as:
- Ma'u and Takairangi struggled in attack and would be playing for Wenty in Round 1 if BA picked his teams from this trial game.
- The impact of Evans, Terepo, Edwards and Matagi were streets ahead of Alvaro, Mannah, Takairangi and Scott. Moeroa had power in his runs and defence.
- Hayne looked reasonably fit and had a spring in his step, appeared keen and interested (great signs).
- Hayne looked more dangerous at fullback and linking up with French on the wing. That long flat cut out pass to French was special. What wise man previously stated that would work well :)
- I have a good feeling about Moses and he could be our gun player this year.
- French looks a lot stronger in attack and defence.
- If I was picking the team for Round 1 with this trial being the 'main bench mark' I would select the below team (obviously, other things would be taking into account for round 1):
1. French
2. Auva'a
3. Hayne
4. Jennings
5. Hoffman
6. Norman
7. Moses
8. Mannah
9. King
10. Evans
11. Terepo
12. Moeroa
13. Brown
14. Edwards
15. Ma'u
16. Alvaro
17. Matagi
Replies
Terepo was our best forward in this trial. As I STATED, if the team was picked on this trial game Terepo would need to be in the team. Edwards is a specialist bench player as he covers several positions, therefore he needs to stay on the bench.
Scott and Takairangi would drop out of the team if this trial was the benchmark for selecting round 1. Scott was decent but I feel we need two frontrowers with more size on the bench. Takairangi should not be in the forwards in front of Moeroa and Terepo if this trial was the benchmark.
You watched a different game to me. Peni was smashing them in defence and was the most dangerous forward in attack along with Brown.
Scott did look good in defence, but for me I don't think we can leave out Moeroa and Terepo.
Although, I think BA will select the following pack for Round 1:
8. Mannah
9. King
10. Alvaro
11. Ma'u
12. Moeroa
13. Brown
14. Edwards
15. Scott
16. Matagi
17. Evans
He did look good. As he played last weekend for Wenty he did have some match fitness over the other guys.
He had some powerful runs and he looked a bit bigger in the upper body over last year.
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